It is with immense sadness after ruining many perfectly good cups of tea on their mother that the children of Ann Burlock, age 68 of New Waterford announce her unexpected passing on Sunday, August 2nd, 2026 in the CBRH, Sydney. Ann would often say she changed her name if she was annoyed by people, so you may know her as something different.

Our mother had a long career spanning 25 years at the New Waterford Consolidated Hospital, where you could count on her to walk in any storm to get there when everyone else had given up hope. She was not going to miss work. She also counted down the days to retirement. She met life long friends there and affectionately called her coworkers "My girls".

Ma also loved “my nurses”. When Ma wasn't working she was probably feeding your children, her meals were served with love, always cooked on high, and always provided to anyone who walked through her door. She raised many children that were not her own, never turning away anyone in need. Ma’s house was always the do-drop-in for everyone.

She was fierce and had a mouth that would make anyone blush, she was afraid of nothing, all 5 feet of her. She was fiercely independent. She had the most recognizable, contagious laugh you could ever imagine.

Her grandchildren Courtney, Connor, Isaac, Elijah, Bailey, Emmett, Mallory, and Libby spent their younger years having sleep overs, going for walks and making wildly inappropriate prank calls to people with Ma. You could always tell when the grandchildren were around because you could hear a game of “hide and go scream” being played.

Ma liked to start each morning telling everyone who would listen how tired she was. She never got enough sleep because she was up all hours watching reruns of the sopranos, cops, CSI, eating her chocolate bars, Hickory Sticks, and drinking her Pepsi zero.

Ma is survived by her 8 Grandchildren whom she loved and adored, her children, Elizabeth (Stephen), Loretta (Adam) and Curtis (Anna), and her chosen Daughter Corina Syms.

She is also survived by her brother Charlie (Joyce), sister Sharon, many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and her Best friend, Angela Durando.

Ma was predeceased by her parents, Syd and Georgie (Reid) Burlock, sister Valerie and Brother Garwood.

Cremation has taken place. There will be a celebration of life with a visitation being held on Friday, August 21, 2026 from 1 pm until the time of the funeral service at 2 pm, all in  V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith Street, New Waterford. Interment will be in Union Grove Cemetery, SCTN with her parents. Capt. Keith Barrett from the Salvation Army presiding.

A special thank you to the doctors, nurses, and support staff in the ER, and ICU at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.

In memory of Ma, donate a meal to a family in need, do a good deed, and keep your corners clean. Online condolences to the family can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca